Discover Au and find hotels

Au lies at a narrow passage between Heldsberg and the Rhine and has been a transit area since antiquity. North of Heldsberg, the landscape opens out; the Rhine shapes it on its way to nearby Lake Constance. If you are planning a stay in Au, you can explore a range of themes: viticulture, protected landscapes and cultural attractions.

Landscape between the Rhine and Heldsberg

Mösli is a locally significant, ungrazed wetland nature reserve. Along the Haldenbach stream lies a small, waterlogged hollow dominated by reeds. Schlipf has a different character: this locally significant, also ungrazed dryland nature reserve lies on a steep slope between Meldeggwald and Langmoosstrasse. Vineyards lie between and to the west of these areas. Mennweg is also a locally significant, ungrazed dryland nature reserve. Its nutrient-poor meadow, with small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), extends south, west and north of the small woodland on the castle hill. The three areas represent different landscapes: a reed-filled wet hollow, a steep dry slope and a nutrient-poor meadow.

Hiking trails and viticulture

The Monstein Vineyard Trail is a signposted hike through Au’s vineyards. It offers insights into viticulture, while information boards also provide historical background. You can start either at the municipal building or at the viewpoint above Hard. The trail is accessible by train and bus. Check the timetables before you travel.

Another hiking option is the Rhine Valley Industrial Trail: it runs from Rheineck to Rüthi, is 40.3 kilometres long and can be hiked in one or more stages. While the Monstein Vineyard Trail focuses on viticulture and its history, the Industrial Trail offers a set distance with flexible stages. The region has a trail network comprising five trails, each with three routes of varying difficulty. The information board is by the playground at the Römerstrasse/Brändlistrasse junction.

Local history and culture

Monstein is one of the oldest settlements in the municipality of Au. The Catholic church was completed in 1925 and is considered a landmark of Au and the Lower Rhine Valley. The foundation stone for the Protestant church was laid on 18 October 1953; by 10 October 1954, it was already standing and looking out over the valley. Its organ has 1,105 pipes: 1,033 are made of metal and 72 of wood. These details offer insight into the town’s church and building history.

Kino Theater Madlen offers films, a theatre stage, cabaret, concerts and talks. As the programme changes over time, it is worth checking the current events before your visit. The theatre and cinema programme thus complement the historical themes with a changing cultural offering.

Getting to Au

Heerbrugg station is served by express trains and, with its large bus terminal, is the region’s transport hub. Check the timetables before travelling. By car, Au is directly connected to the Swiss national road network via the A13. The A13 runs via Lindau, St. Margrethen, San Bernardino, Bellinzona and Milan. For travel planning, you can therefore use either the Heerbrugg rail and bus hub or the A13 motorway connection as a guide.

Discover more destinations: Oberriet, Altstätten, St. Margrethen, Marbach, Rüthi, Rheineck, Berneck, Balgach.

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Rhine Valley.